I didn’t discover Ella Langley until late 2025, when she began dropping tracks for her second album, “Dandelion.” Notably, “Choosin’ Texas” caught my attention. The song perfectly encapsulates Langley’s talent as an artist, featuring a swinging tune, her signature drawling voice, and lyrics describing a boyfriend who chooses a girl from Texas over her.
Impressively, the song made history. In mid February it reached number one on Billboard Hot 100. Three weeks later it surpassed Taylor Swift’s record for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and remains the the longest-running country song by a female artist to hold that position.
However, “Choosin’ Texas” was not the only notable song off the album. Several other tracks released before the album included, “Dandelion,” and “Loving Life Again,” both of which were decent, catchy tunes. The full “Dandelion” album came out on April 10. Several songs on it reflected previously released singles, featuring the same carefree mood and high quality.
My favorites of these were “We Know Us” and “Bottom Of Your Boots.” “We Know Us” uniquely blended lyrics about a breakup with a lively melody. “Bottom Of Your Boots” was sweet with the lyrics, “Better love me to the moon and back, from the bottom of your boots to the top of your hat” inspired by a phrase Langley’s father used.
On the other hand, quite a few tracks had a slower and sadder feel to them, more closely mirroring her debut album “Hungover.” None of these stuck out to me. The songs exhibited rather bland lyrics, so when matched with a slow-moving tune, they remained underwhelming.
Langley stated her album was inspired by her roots in rural Alabama and the music she grew up listening to, particularly Ronnie Milsap and other country singers from the 70s and 80s. While the connection between her and those artists is obvious, the album doesn’t immediately bring to mind the ‘classic country’ prevalent in those decades. Instead, it offers a refreshing take on the current country genre by highlighting simple living, rustic nature, and an appreciation for life.
Despite her flaws, Langley’s incredible voice and the catchy tunes she produces are undeniable. It’s clear she’ll play a huge role in the female country music industry. Seeing her switch gears from “Hungover,” an album whose main focus is heartbreak and emptiness, to the more upbeat and uplifting “Dandelion” album has been exciting, and makes me curious for what she has to offer next.
